On Friday, Sept. 26, St. Pius X Parish in Essex held testament to the number of people touched and loved by former St. Michael’s English professor, John Reiss. Hundreds of mourners poured into the church still shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of this devoted family man and scholar.
Reiss was killed in his home on Tuesday, Sept. 23 by a stray rifle bullet. The shooting is believed to be accidental, and the shots came from neighbors holding target practice nearby, according to a press release sent out by the Essex Police Department. Names of those responsible have yet to be released and it is not known whether the state will file charges.
A devoted man
Reiss began teaching English at St. Michael's in 1968 and retired in 2002 after 34 years of educating and mentoring students.
Reiss’ legacy will live on as a splendid teacher who loved, lived and brought literature to life, English professor and close friend William Marquess says.
In his eulogy, Marquess spoke about how Reiss only seemed to become a more remarkable human being as the years went by.
“John Reiss just kept getting better. Didn’t he? This is all the more remarkable considering that—at least, as far back as I know, 1984—he was already so good,” Marquess said.
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The gold stars on Reiss' door represented his success in the monthly poker games he played with colleagues.
(Photo courtesy of Anne Conaway-Peters) |
Throughout the eulogy, Marquess quoted some of Reiss’ seven children and 13 grandchildren, who commented on his devotion to his family, his work and his Catholic faith.
“He was a faithful man devoted to his church, he was always here ready and willing,” said the Rev. Richard Tinney of St. Pius X . “Although he is gone, we are left with hope and trust because that is what John gave us.”
Reiss’ devotion to his faith and the influence it had on others was made apparent by the many priests who presided over his funeral Mass.
“We have 15 priests up here,” Tinney said. “It’s usually hard to get just one.”
A wide array of influence
During his years at St. Michael’s, Reiss made sure to welcome and encourage new faculty members and lend a helping hand to his colleagues in need, Marquess says.
“When I met John in 1984, the first very characteristic thing he did was invite me to stay at his home in Essex Junction,” Marquess says. “This was typical because he invited a lot of people to do that. It is thanks to him and his family that I started to find a home at St. Michael’s.”
Students and professors alike looked up to Reiss and learned from him.
“As we were both American literature specialists, I'd sometimes consult with John about particular works and teaching strategies,” professor Robert Niemi writes in an e-mail. “He was always more than willing to share ideas, lend books, and be encouraging to me, a younger and less experienced colleague.”
"Dr. Reiss was a very positive influence to all of the St. Michael's community. As a former student of his, I have much to be thankful for having had the time to learn from him both in and outside of the classroom," |
-Skip Goetz, '71 wrote on the online forum.
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Although most of the current students at St. Michael’s never met Reiss, the care and genuine concern they have displayed since his death is evidence of the truly influential man he was, English chair Nathaniel Lewis says.
“Many of us have been very moved by the concern of the students and their feelings of loss even though they didn’t know him,” Lewis says. “It is both beautiful and moving.”
The funeral home provided an online forum for people to leave condolences to the Reiss family.
“There are condolences from students going back to the 70s,” Lewis says. “Many commented on specific books or writers he influenced them to read.”
A lasting legacy
Reiss' legacy will live on in the memories held by so many members of the St. Michael’s community.
“As everyone who knew him will attest, John was a kind and gentle man, soft-spoken, and with an engaging smile and a quick wit,” Niemi says. “He was both highly respected and extremely popular with his students and colleagues because everyone who knew him could appreciate his intelligence and good will, and plainly see that there was not a mean or insincere bone in his body.”
Reiss will always be remembered for the kindness he showed to his colleagues, Marquess says.
“He wrote great handwritten letters of congratulations or encouragement,” he says. “He helped to build and improve the college by encouraging professors.”
Assistant Dean Joan Wry, Reiss’ daughter, will remain a physical reminder of him at St. Michael’s.
“Joan Wry is a really important part of his legacy,” Marquess says. “She is a lot like him and will carry on his work.”
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